Some Ambulance Workers Vote For Strike

SOME ambulance workers in Barnsley have voted to go on a 24-hour strike over staffing changes.

The dispute centres on plans to introduce emergency care assistants to work with Yorkshire Ambulance Service's more highly-trained paramedics.

The Unite union - which represents about 10 per cent of the service's workforce - claims the move would jeopardise patient care.

The trust has said it is trying to maintain levels of care while making £46million savings over the next five years.

An overtime ban by Unite members at ambulance stations in Barnsley, Hoyland, Penistone and Wath is set to begin on March 26 followed by a 24-hour strike on April 2.

Unite regional officer Terry Cunliffe called for talks to avert the action.

"This is a final window of opportunity for the trust to resolve this situation for the benefit of the Yorkshire public," he said.

Stephen Moir, deputy chief executive of Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said: "We would like to reassure members of the public that the changes we are introducing to our A&E workforce will enable us to continue to deliver a high quality and responsive service to patients and they will always remain our top priority."